Lead Research Advisor, Grant Development Services

University of Ottawa; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 108,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Ottawa is seeking a Lead Research Advisor, Grant Development Services, to develop and implement strategic projects that boost success in multi‑million dollar research grants. You will guide researchers, manage complex, cross‑functional responses, and align initiatives with university priorities.

Reporting to the Director, you will liaise with faculties, OVPRI units and external sponsors, providing expert advice, project leadership, and high‑level grant writing and management

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent research training.
• PhD is an asset.
• At least 7 years in a research‑intense university or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of Canada’s research funding landscape.
• Experience with all aspects of research including grants, training, and knowledge mobilization.
• Excellent communication in English and French, both written and spoken.
• Liaising with external sponsors and stakeholders.
• Strong project management, time management and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with Windows, PowerPoint, spreadsheets, databases, and financial systems.
• Ability to work across faculties, institutes and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, pre‑submission grant development and review processes.
• Coordinate end‑to‑end grant proposals across multidisciplinary teams.
• Analyze grant requirements and tailor proposals to funding criteria.
• Oversee stakeholder communication and collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Develop training and information sessions for researchers on grants management.
• Prepare institutional sections and budgets for applications.
• Support post‑award administration and reporting.

Skills

Excellent communication

Bilingual English/French

Project management

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Knowledge of funding landscape

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field

PhD is an asset

Tools

MS Office / Office suite

Job description

Follow us on LinkedIn Posting Reason: New Position Job Type: Employee Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments): 36 Job Family: Research and Program Support # of Open Positions: 1 Faculty/Service - Department: Strategic Grants Initiatives Campus: Tabaret Hall Union Affiliation: N/A Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/09/11 Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/09/22 Hours per week: 35 Salary Grade: Non-Union Grade NM1 Salary Range: $107,503.00 - $134,379.00

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Director, Grant Development Services, the Lead Research Advisor, Grant Development Services, develops and implements strategic projects and activities to improve the success of research funding requests and increase the University’s research intensity. The incumbent provides hands‑on support to research teams, in collaboration with cross-functional teams, in the development of compelling research funding applications to Tri‑Agency and other grant funding agencies. The Lead Advisor, Research and Program Support brings scientific/scholarly expertise and significant knowledge of Canada’s research funding landscape, stakeholders, researchers, networks and current and future trends in research funding strategy and compliance.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Priorities and Initiatives

In collaboration with Director and team members, supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy and structure of support to increase success in multi‑million‑dollar research grant opportunities that leverage the University’s priorities and unique research strengths. Supports new approaches to research collaboration, creating a state‑of‑readiness, establishing priorities for response and creating cross‑linkages and collaboration with the research community, faculties and OVPRI units. Follows research activity trends within the University and externally in order to identify priorities and recommend new initiatives.

Advisory Services and Research Support

Leads the coordination of highly complex pre‑submission large‑scale scientific grant development and review processes to develop compelling proposals and effectively respond to the funding opportunity objectives, priorities, eligibility and selection criteria: Project management of full cycle of complex, multidisciplinary grant proposal development including ensuring early preparation, ongoing point‑of‑contact, expert advice, communication with the research team and key stakeholders and advancing successful proposals to post‑award administration; Analyzes and interprets granting agencies’ requirements and guidelines; Supports the assembly of intra‑institutional (across faculties and affiliated institutes) and inter‑institutional expert research teams; Undertakes outreach to multi‑sector partners, including identifying suitable partners aligned to the research goals; Manages internal and external review processes; Prepares institutional application sections, supports budget development and generation of schematics; Expertly edits complex applications to ensure a convincing proposal suitable for a multi‑disciplinary review panel.

Operations

As lead point‑of‑contact for a given project or grant development process, the incumbent will plan, organize, guide and oversee the project and processes with all stakeholders to ensure priorities and activities are undertaken as effectively and as efficiently as possible. Develops and implements internal project management regulations and procedures in order to improve efficiency and strategic relevance. Analyses and solves complex administrative problems in a timely manner.

Liaison and Guidance

Liaises between researchers and granting agencies to ensure that all parties possess the information they need to optimize their chances of success. Designs and leads workshops and information sessions for researchers on how to prepare high‑quality funding requests and on administrative procedures related to research management in order to provide clarity and streamline the process. Cultivate relationships with external partners and collaborators for large research grants and programs. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including faculty research offices, affiliated institutes, researchers, program managers, and finance teams, to gather necessary information and ensure a comprehensive approach to a project or grant proposal development. Consults and provides expert guidance to faculty, staff, and university‑wide administrators on complex grant developmental issues.

Research Promotion

Effectively communicates strategic research funding opportunities, developmental support available and administrative processes. Implements processes for internal support and early targeting of researchers and outreach to advise on eligibility criteria, deadlines and other important details. Develops training modules and undertakes outreach activities such as workshops, test‑your concept‑sessions and training sessions to better prepare researchers and teams to compete for large‑scale, strategic interdisciplinary peer‑reviewed grants and contract research. Identifies possible funding sources for interdisciplinary research projects.

Reports

Conducts research and surveys, and compiles data, statistics and other information related to research trends, interdisciplinary research activities, and research funding. Uses this information to provide management with advice and recommendations and to help with long‑term strategic planning.

Special Project Management

Plans and manages assigned special projects as needed. Defines special project scopes, determines steps, monitors relevant progress, makes adjustments throughout the process and ensures efficient communication between participants.

Supervision

Provides required supervision for administrative support work performed by employees and ensures that tasks are completed in accordance with stated norms and instructions.

What you will bring:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or a combination of equivalent training and experience, involving extensive research training in a health research, science and engineering or social sciences and humanities field.
• A PhD is an asset.
• A minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience within a research‑intensive university or similar complex research environment.
• Scientific/scholarly knowledge and experience in health research, science and engineering or social sciences and humanities field.
• Experience with all aspects of the undertaking of research including publications, presentations, grant writing, training programs and knowledge mobilization.
• Substantial knowledge of Canada’s research funding landscape and of current trends in research funding.
• Knowledge of research environments in Ottawa and Canada, including knowledge of key stakeholders, researchers, networks and multi‑sector partners.
• Keen knowledge of university research administration processes, the life‑cycle of research grants and awards, and working in a complex de‑centralized university environment.
• Knowledge and experience in the development of business plans, planning documents and advising management and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in liaising and maintaining relationships with external funding sponsors.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with researchers, administrators, faculties, staff, students, and administrators from other institutions and sponsors.
• Excellent communication skills including writing, reviewing and editing in both official languages.
• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy and judgment.
• Strong project and time management, attention to detail and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in using computer systems and software such as, Windows, PowerPoint, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, financial systems, e‑mail and internet.
• Bilingualism – English and French (spoken and written).

#LI‑MB1 #LI‑HYBRID

Key Competencies at uOttawa:

• Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
• Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self‑starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
• Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
• Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier‑free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [e-mail] to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above;

If this is a front‑line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid‑19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid‑19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.

The University of Ottawa offers a generous pay and benefits package that includes a competitive salary, a defined benefit pension plan, group insurance coverage and an employee and family assistance program.